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Friday, July 4, 2014

What I love about the USA

After spending a couple of weeks in Europe, I decided to come up with a list of things I love about the USA. There's nothing like spending some time in other countries to make you appreciate coming home.

Based on this trip and others, here are some of the things I missed most:

1. Free bathrooms with good toilet paper
2. Driving my own car instead of taking public transportation
3. Plentiful free water fountains
4. Understanding the conversations people around you are having
5. Widespread air conditioning
6. Southern drawls and genteel manners
7. Cold drinks served with plenty of ice
8. Policemen who are willing to assist the public
9. Non-smokers - it seems like everyone in Europe smokes
10. Sweet tea
11. Recognizing how much things 'really' cost - euros confuse me
12. Plentiful free wi-fi
13. Lots of channels to choose from on television
14. Planning my own day, my own meals, my own company - remember, I traveled with a large group
15. Strangers who smile at you on the street - large European cities have a tendency to be rather impersonal

I know this list is certainly simplistic and superficial, but the little things really are what you miss most. I'm glad to be home in the USA, but I also can't wait to travel abroad again in the future. Happy 4th of July!